Ventricular Fibrillation Flashcards
1
Q
What anatomical structures are affected?
A
Left and right ventricle of the heart and the septum.
Ventricles show hypertrophy - they’re dilated and scarred
2
Q
How does this affect the heart?
A
Electrical activity becomes disorganised and chaotic. Heart ‘fibrillates’ but doesn’t beat.
This causes loss of consciousness
3
Q
What prior events cause this?
A
Common after a heart attack/heart failure.
4
Q
Symptoms?
A
Chest pain
Light headedness
Lose consciousness
5
Q
Clinical signs
A
Patient unresponsive
Not breathing
No pulse
Sudden dramatic collapse
6
Q
Test results?
A
Random ECG
7
Q
Treatment
A
ABC A - airway B - breathing C - circulation - heart compressions. D - defibrillator
Beta blockers sometimes used to reduce risk of having ventricular fibrillation
Automatic internal defibrillator- implanted pacemaker for patients who survive ventricular fibrillation
